Better amenities: Work being undertaken at the Corporation hospital in Virugambakkam. M. Karunakaran

The ambitious project to renovate infrastructure in Corporation hospitals across the city will be completed shortly.

Work on renovation of 106 primary health centres across the city has been taken up. Chennai Corporation’s Health Department runs 140 centres.​Each centre caters to a population of 50,000, attracting a large number of patients from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

According to officials, work on renovation of 76 hospitals has already been completed. Work on at least 17 hospitals is under way.

Residents have pointed to inadequate infrastructure in Corporation hospitals in various neighbourhoods. The civic body identified 4 hospitals in Tiruvottiyur, 2 in Manali, 2 in Madhavaram, 12 in Tondiarpet, 10 in Royapuram, 11 in Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, 5 in Ambattur, 14 in Anna Nagar, 15 in Teynampet, 12 in Kodambakkam, 1 in Valasaravakkam, 4 in Alandur, 7 in Adyar, 4 in Perungudi and 3 in Sholinganallur for renovation. Former councillors had also alleged that the inadequate infrastructure was hindering services, affecting delivery of some services such as diagnosis and management of non-communicable diseases.

Malaria testing

Former Councillor S. Mangala Raj said residents rely largely on Corporation hospitals for malaria testing. “After modernisation of the hospitals, the Corporation has to increase the number of doctors. Doctors visit many of the Corporation hospitals once in a week,” said Mr. Mangala Raj.

As per data from the civic body, there are 268 posts sanctioned for doctors in Chennai Corporation hospitals, but many of the posts are vacant. The civic body has been hiring doctors through private agencies.

100-bed hospitals

“Work on six modern 100-bed hospitals will also be completed in August,” said an official. Work on the 100-bed hospital in Valasaravakkam with 2980 sq. m of building is in the final stages. Work on 100-bed hospitals in Puzhal, Tiruvottiyur, Perungudi, Injambakkam and Manali will also be completed in August.

Renovation work in a few of the hospitals that have been delayed for many years will also be taken up this month. For example, the tender for primary health centre in ward 193 in Thoraipakkam has been floated. Work order will be issued this month. Similarly, the proposed primary health centre in Kondithope, Adambakkam, TNHB Third Street and Mathoor in ward 19 will also be constructed this year.